Workers were flown in from abroad to try to prevent lengthy delays at Dublin and Cork airports yesterday, as 320 Servisair ground staff rejected the company's latest pay offer and began a strike.
Servisair confirmed that it had brought in specialist staff to work alongside local management, while a number of airlines served by the firm also redeployed staff in an attempt to limit the impact of the dispute on their customers.
The striking workers carry out check-in, arrival and loading duties for a number of airlines. Despite the contingency plans, SIPTU's aviation branch secretary, Ms Carmel Hogan, predicted that the initial four-day work stoppage would result in considerable delays at both airports.
"There will be significant delays because Servisair will not have the people who are used to doing this work on a day-to-day basis," she said. "They will not be able to maintain this service for any length of time."
Servisair workers are seeking improved pay and conditions. Key demands relate to shift work rates and weekend premium payments. The workers overwhelmingly rejected a revised pay offer made by the firm yesterday. "It was rejected by a very significant majority, although it was not quite 90 per cent," Ms Hogan said.
Servisair said it was disappointed at the rejection. "However, we are now directing our energies at maintaining services to the travelling public and our cargo customers," the firm said. The service was being provided by company management and staff brought in from outside the State.
The revised offer increased the shift premium from £47 to £50 a week, but proposed that new employees be paid a £44.25 premium for their first year. "The company cannot pay rates that will make it uncompetitive," Servisair said.
Following a mass meeting of workers, at which the latest pay offer was rejected, pickets were placed at the entrance to both airports yesterday.
Aer Rianta reported no problems with passenger and cargo flights, serviced by Servisair, which were scheduled to leave up to early yesterday evening.
Delta Airlines' general manager, Ms Joanne Richardson, confirmed that the firm had made arrangements to provide its own ground staff to ensure there was adequate service. Members of its Dublin office staff would be redeployed, together with specialist load planners who have been flown in from the continent.
Contingency plans at Dublin Airport will be tested this morning, when two transatlantic flights are scheduled to leave.